Jeff Bobeck, a Dept. of Energy veteran, has joined PA shop Navista in Washington as VP-public and international affairs.

Steve Hellem, who was associate director of energy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, helms Navista.

President George W. Bush appointed Bobeck in 2007 as the first external affairs director at DOE’s environmental management program.

Earlier, he was staffer on the House Ways and Means Committee, external liaison at the American Automobile Manufacturers Assn., VP-PA at the National Assn. of Broadcasters and chief lobbyist for PBS TV.

Navista’s client roster includes American Pet Products Assn., National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining and North American Flame Retardant Alliance and Global Environmental Management Initiative.